1995 November - December

Local utilities seeking to avoid customer-service regulations sought by advocates and consumers may claim that the regulations are preempted by federal law. This column sets forth the responses and analyses available when federal preemption is urged.

Unlike their colleagues in more traditional public interest law firms, poverty law advocates do not often file amicus briefs in litigation involving other parties, nor do they routinely seek the support of sympathetic allies to participate as amici in significant cases brought on behalf of low-income clients. However, through amicus briefs, poverty lawyers can represent their clients' interests and provide the court with a critically different perspective, often in the context of precedent-setting decisions, without formally initiating or intervening in the underlying litigation.

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act is the first and, to date, only major federal response to homelessness. This article briefly reviews the history surrounding the McKinney Act's passage and summarizes the Act as a whole, with particular emphasis on the Act's shelter and housing programs.

This article reviews barriers to education that homeless children face, federal law addressing those barriers, litigation to enforce that law, and strategies to consider in advocating on behalf of homeless children.

The Housing Works model is based on the premise that safe, stable housing is essential for homeless persons to gain control of their lives and become active participants in their own health care. This article examines this model, its structure, and its record.

This article surveys recent case law resulting from challenges to laws and policies designed to restrict homeless persons' use of public places and suggests strategies to prevent or reverse the adoption of such policies.